Connecting Large Loads

To support new and growing customer needs, the PUD offers a structured Large Load Interconnection Process. This process provides early clarity, open collaboration and more predictable outcomes – helping projects receive safe, reliable, and timely electrical service as they move forward.

Projects that meet the definition of a Large Load must follow this process. For planning and system evaluation, projects developed in phases are reviewed as a single, total electrical load.

A Large Load is a project that meets both of the following criteria:

• Results in a net increase of 2.5 MVA or greater in peak power demand over a continuous five‑year period
• Is located at a single site, or across multiple sites that serve a common operational purpose

What if my project has a peak demand below 2.5MVA?

Projects with peak demand below 2.5 MVA do not need to go through the Large Load process and are served based on available system capacity. Customers planning projects in this range should connect early with the PUD’s Construction Team to discuss service availability, requirements, and next steps.

Customers seeking to connect a new Large Load are encouraged to start by completing and submitting a New Service Questionnaire. To ensure your application can be reviewed promptly, please complete the questionnaire in full and include a signature from the project owner.

If any information is missing, the PUD will reach out to help gather what’s needed to keep your application moving forward.

Customers who would like to talk through their project, ask questions, or schedule an introductory meeting are encouraged to contact the PUD’s Key Accounts team at KeyAccounts@snopud.com.

Large loads seeking to connect to the PUD’s electrical system move through a process to identify any system upgrades needed to safely and reliably serve the requested load. This evaluation and study helps to define technical requirements, estimated costs, and expected timelines for required construction.

As part of this process, the customer requesting service is responsible for the costs associated with any necessary system upgrades. Study fees are developed based on project-specific analyses and are estimated using a time-and-materials approach. Final costs are reconciled at project completion to reflect the actual work performed, with applicable costs paid up front as the project moves forward.

Here is information about the study steps, contracting process, and associated fees and timelines to assist with expectations:

1. Application Process

Estimated timeline: 1–2 months

1. The customer submits a New Service Questionnaire.
2. The PUD completes a Feasibility Review to assess the request.
3. A Feasibility Review meeting is held with the customer and relevant PUD representatives to discuss findings and next steps.

2. Interconnection Studies

Estimated timeline: 3–8 months. Fee: $10,000 minimum, increasing based on project complexity

1. The customer and PUD develop a Customer Service Contract Agreement, which defines the project study scope, estimated costs, and schedule.
2. The PUD conducts detailed studies to identify system upgrade projects needed to meet capacity requirements, including rough‑order‑of‑magnitude cost estimates and expected timelines.
3. For loads greater than 10 MVA, the PUD completes a Power Supply Review to evaluate options for delivering power to the PUD service area boundary.

3. New Load Policy Contracting

Timeline: Project dependent

1. The PUD develops system upgrade alternatives, including refined cost estimates and schedules for required system upgrade projects.
2. A contract is created that defines project scope, engineering fees, material acquisition, and construction services.
3. Financing requirements, collateral, and any potential cost refunds are evaluated and clearly defined.

4. Final Power Service Agreement

Estimated timeline: Less than 1 month

• Determination of applicable PUD Rate Schedule and any corresponding service contract for electric service is executed, establishing the permanent power service account and applicable rate.

More information and a detailed description of the interconnection study process can be found in the Facility Connection Requirements and the Large Load Interconnection Process Workflow.

The District’s New Load Policy outlines how costs associated with serving large load interconnections are planned for and recovered over time. The policy is designed to provide transparency and predictability for customers while ensuring fair cost responsibility. Under this policy, new or existing customers with an estimated net increase in peak power demand of 2.5 MVA or greater over a continuous five‑year period are required to provide an up‑front, refundable deposit. This level of load growth is roughly equivalent to the demand of 400 single‑family homes. The deposit helps ensure that infrastructure investments made to serve large or growing loads are aligned with the anticipated long‑term use of the system.

This approach protects existing PUD ratepayers from bearing costs associated with infrastructure built for customers who do not ultimately reach, or sustain, the expected level of energy demand. For customers who remain in service, the deposit is refunded over a ten‑year period, reflecting continued participation on the system and delivery of anticipated revenue.

Learn about our New Load Policy

Power Supply Review

For new or expanding loads with an average demand of 10 average MVA (aMVA*) or greater, a Power Supply Review is required in addition to the interconnection study process described above. This review is a standard part of planning for larger, more complex projects and helps confirm that long‑term power supply needs can be met safely and reliably.

The Power Supply Review is typically completed within two to three months and is conducted collaboratively between the customer and PUD staff. To support efficient decision‑making and early clarity, the review is performed in parallel with the interconnection studies and is fully integrated into the overall project evaluation.

As part of this review, the PUD may coordinate with BPA and/or other power suppliers that serve the PUD’s territory, as needed, to support comprehensive system planning. Any external input or analysis is coordinated by the PUD and complements the interconnection study work.

Projects with loads greater than 10 aMVA may require an increased deposit amount, depending on project scope and complexity.

* Average MVA (aMVA) means a facility demonstrates an average demand of 10 MVA over 12 consecutive months.

Coordination with BPA and Other Power Agencies

For some larger or more complex projects, coordination with BPA and/or other power suppliers may be needed to support the Power Supply Review and broader system planning. This coordination is a normal part of serving larger loads and is fully integrated into the PUD‑led process.

The need for external coordination is evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis and is typically identified during the Feasibility Review Meeting. When coordination is required, the PUD remains the customer’s primary point of contact and works closely with the customer and external agencies to support alignment, information sharing, and timely progress.

While this coordination may influence overall project timelines, the PUD will continue to partner closely with the customer throughout each step of the process.